Foundation garment



Oct. 26, 1965 R. GRECO 3,213,855

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Dec. 11, 1963 mm1 i INVENTOR. RALPH GRECO ATTORNEY York Filed Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 329,673 4 Claims. (Cl. 12S-528) The prevent invention relates, generally, to foundation garments, such as girdles, panty-girdles and the like.

More particularly this invention pertains to foundation garments, such as girdles, panty-girdles and the like, that are so\constituted, configured and arranged, and comprise a plurality of panels that are so contoured and disposed, at least one of which is fabricated of a plurality of layers of material, and substantially all of which are distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as to result in a continuity of figure controlling pressures, specifically in the area of the derriere, in amounts which more than adequately reflect and idealize the geometry of the figure, enabling the presentation of a substantially at contour while, at the same time, being completely comfortable and permitting the assumption of a variety of positions and motions.

Heretofore, it has been suggested that foundation garments be presented comprising panels differently disposed and variably contoured, some of which are distendable in only one of a plurality of directions, and others of which are distendable in each of a plurality of directions. However, it has been found that, when the panels are apparently properly disposed to provide optimum intended results, incorrect thickness of the material, or inadequate distendability in the proper number of different directions, presents a garment that fails to provide optimum intended results specifically in the area of the derriere.

And, where adequate distendability is provided in the proper number of directions, the particular disposition of the panels comprising the garment, and/or a particular configuration and/ or contour thereof, fails to provide optimum intended results, again specifically in the area of the derriere.

Accordingly, having in mind the above disadvantages, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a foundation garment, such as girdles, panty-girdles and the like, that are so constituted, configured and arranged, and comprise a plurality of panels that are so contoured and disposed, at least one of which is fabricated of a plurality of layers of material, and substantially all of which are distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as to result in a continuity of figure controlling pressures, specifically in the area of the derriere, in amounts which more than adequately reiiect and idealize the geometry of the ligure, enabling the presentation of a substantially fiat contour while, at the same time, being completely comfortable and permitting the assumption of a variety of positions and motions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a foundation garment, such as girdles, panty-girdles and the like, that are so constituted, configured and arranged, and comprise a plurality of panels that are so contoured and arranged, at least one of which, disposed in the area of the derriere, is fabricated of a plurality of layers of material, and substantially all of which, particularly said one panel, are distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as to result in a continuity of figure controlling pressures, specifically in the area of the derriere, in amounts which properly distribute excess flesh in said area and idealize the geometry of the figure, enabling the presentation of a substantially flat contour while, at the same time, per` mit the completely comfortable assumption of a variety of positions and motions.

United States Patent O M' 3,Zl3,855 Patented Get. 26, 1965 A further object of the present invention is to provide foundation garments, such as girdles, panty-girdles and the like, that are so constituted, configured and arranged, and comprise a plurality of panels that are so contoured and arranged, at least one of which disposed in the area of the derriere, is fabricated of a plurality of layers of material, and substantially all of which, particularly said one panel, are distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as to result in a continuity of ligure controlling pressures, specifically in the area of the derriere, in amounts which permit unimpeded walking or striding by an individual without riding up or down, without wrinkling across the area of the Waist, including that area at the rear of the figure, or binding across the girth of the thighs, without wrinking across the area of the abdomen, which lends itself to stylish design, and which may be readily and efficiently fabricated without inducing undue or excessive cost for materials for labor.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification, taken with the drawings, which together show, illustrate, describe and disclose a preferred embodiment or modification of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof.

Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the sub-joined claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a foundation garment constructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the garment illustrated in FIG. l.

Referring now to the drawing it will be noted that the embodiment or modification of the present invention illustrated therein is applied to a foundation garment of the panty-girdle type, comprising a plurality of leg-encom passing portions. This is one type of conventional foundation garment. Other conventional types are presently available, for example the slip-on type, and, it is to be understood, as the ensuing description proceeds, that the present invention is equally applicable to all such types. Moreover, this invention is equally applicable to complete foundation garments: In particular to the body encircling portion of long-line brassieres, and the like.

As illustrated the preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention, generally designated by the reference character 10, comprises a frontal generally centrally disposed or located substantially annularly or elliptically shaped panel 12, comprised of a plurality of layers of any suitable material. The panel 12 comprises a diamond shaped or configured central portion 14, wit-h the periphery thereof being defined by a stitch line 16. The periphery of the panel 12 is defined by a stitch line 18, the latter defining the location at which the panel 12 is fixedly associated with a front panel, to be described more fully hereinafter. The inner layer of material (not shown), within the confines of the panel 12, as defined by the stitching 18, may be an inelastic material, as may be the outer layer of material of the diamond-shaped central portion 14. The material between the stitching 16 and 18 of the outer layer may be the same as the rest of the garment 1t), which, as will be pointed out hereinafter, preferably is an elastic material providing adequate distendability in each of a plurality of directions: that is, having elastic threads extending in said plurality of directions. However, since the stitching 16 fixedly associates both layers of material together, and the inner layer of the panel 12 in toto, and the outer layer of the portion 14, are of an inelastic material, the panel 12 is inelastic. Therefore, the panel 12 provides more than adequate and completely effective front center or abdominal support, control, and confinement to the desired shape.

The garment comprises, further, a front panel 20 and a rear or back panel 22, both of these panels extending to the sides of the garment and there being stitched together by stitching 24, to thus define a body-encircling assembly. As pointed out above, the front panel 20 is xedly associated with the panel 12 by stitching 18. To this end, the panel 20 is provided with curvilinear edges corresponding to the configuration or shape of the panel 12. The panels 20 and 22 may be fabricated of a suitable material, and, as pointed out above, are preferably fabricated of a material having elastic threads exten-ding in each of a plurality of directions. There is provided, therefore, more than adequate distendability in each of a plurality of directions, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing.

Each of the panels 20 and 22 comprise leg encircling sections 26 particularly adapted to encompass or encircle an individuals legs, at that portion thereof known as the thigh. As shown, inner panels 28 may be provided, fabricated of the same material as the panels 20 and 22, for completing the annular leg encircling sections, the same being fixedly associated therewith by stitching 30. Panels 28 can be optional, it being understood that the sections 26 can be of sufficient dimensional extent to define the leg encircling sections in and of themselves.

A crotch panel 32 is fixedly associated to the garment 10, as by stitching 34, and extends from the front to the rear thereof. This panel may be fabricated of any suitable material, and is comprised of a single layer thereof.

A waist-line control band 36, fixedly associated with the garment 10 by stitching 38, extends completely about the garment at the top thereof. In this manner, there is provided adequate and efficient waist-line circumferential control. The band may be fabricated of any suitable material, such as that from which the panels 20 and 22 are fabricated, and is so constituted and arranged as to provide distendability generally only transversely of the garment, or about the girth thereof. The contour of the band 36 is generally convex upwardly in the front and generally concave downwardly in the back or rear, to provide optimum results in controlling the geometry of the waist-line when in use.

Similar bands 40 extend completely annularly about the leg encircling section 26 to provide adequate and efficient control about the girth of the thigh, the same being fabricated of the same material as the band 36, for example, and fixedly associated to the sections by stitching 42. Similarly with respect to the waist bands, the bands 40 are so constituted and arranged as to provide distendability generally only transversely of the sections 26.

Ther garment 10 comprises, still further, a rear generally centrally disposed pear-shaped panel 44, which is preferably fabricated of the same material as the panels 20 and 22, and is distendable in each of a plurality of directions, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Additionally, panel 44, which is fxedly associated with a panel 22 by stitching 46, is fabricated of a plurality of layers of material. The particular construction of the panel 44, that is, the multiple layer construction, the distendability in each of a plurality of directions and the pear-shaped configuration, each being considered conjointly with the other, provides optimum results. Thus, in use, there will be produced proper figure controlling pressures in the area of the derriere in amounts which properly distribute excess flesh in that area with a view toward idealizing the geometry of the figure. This is particularly true since the shape and dimensional extent of the panel 44, both longitudinally and transversely of the garment 10, and, specifically, the maximum trans- 4i verse dimensional extent of that panel, is such as to render the same operable throughout a substantial portion of the back panel 22.

Though not shown, it is to be understood that a suitable design may be axed tothe central portion 14, in any suitable manner, to present an aesthetic garment appealing to eye. Additionally, it will be understood that suitable fasteners (not shown) may be connected to the garment for fastening hosiery relative thereto.

While the invention has been shown, illustrated, described and disclosed in terms of an embodiment or modifcation which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiment or modification herein shown, illustrated, described or disclosed, such other embodiments or modifications intended to be reserved especially as they fall Within the scopes of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A foundation garment particularlyadapted for idealizing the geometry of the human figure, comprising:

a front panel,

a rear panel;

each of said panels being distensible in each of a plurality of directions, and conjointly defining a bodyencircling assembly;

an inelastic panel of generally elliptical configuration fixedly associated with said front panel and disposed generally centrally thereof;

said inelastic panel being comprised of multiple layers of material, at least one of which is inelastic, to provide completely effective abdominal support, control, and connement to the desired geometry; and

a pear-shaped panel fixedly associated with, and disposed generally centrally of, said rear panel; said pear-shaped panel being distensible in each of said plurality of directions and being of such dimensional extent, both longitudinally and transversely of said rear panel, as to be operable throughout a substantial portion thereof, enabling the production of proper figure controlling pressures in amounts which properly distribute excess flesh in the area or the derriere of the human figure and idealize the geometry thereof. 2. A foundation garment particularly adapted for use in idealizing the geometry of the human figure comprising:

a plurality of panels; each of said panels being distensible in each of a plurality of directions, and being connected to one another to define a body-encircling assembly;

an inelastic panel xedly associated with one of said distensible panels for providing completely effective abdominal support, control and confinement to the desired geometry when said one distensible panel is disposed in body-encircling relationship with respect to the human figure; and

a pear-shaped panel fixedly associated with another of said distensible panels;

said other distensible panel being disposable in bodyencircling relationship with respect to the human figure at the rear thereof;

said pear-shaped panel being distensible in each of said plurality of directions, and being of such dimensional extent, both longitudinally and transversely of said other distensible panel, as to be operable throughout a substantial portion thereof, enabling the production of proper figure controlling pressures particularly with respect to that portion of the human figure known as the derriere in amounts which properly distribute excess flesh and idealize the geometry of the figure. Y

3. A foundation garment as defined in claimv 2, wheresaid pear-shaped panel is fabricated of multiple layers of distendable material.

5 6 4. A foundation garment as dened in claim 3, Where- References Cited by the Examiner 1112 UNITED STATES PATENTS said inelastic panel is comprised of multiple layers of 2 755 478 7/56 Morano 128 547 material, at least one of which is inelastic, and is of 219731765 3 /61 Diebold 128 546 generally elliptical configuration, to provide 00m- 5 3,131,698 5/64 Morano 128--523 pletely effective support and control. ADELE M EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. FOUNDATION GARMENT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR IDEALIZING THE GEOMETRY OF THE HUMAN FIGURE, COMPRISING: A FRONT PANEL, A REAR PANEL; EACH OF SAID PANELS BEING DISTENSIBLE IN EACH OF A PLURALITY OF DIRECTIONS, AND CONJOINTLY DEFINING A BODYENCIRCLING ASSEMBLY; AN INELASTIC PANEL OF GENERALLY ELLIPTICAL CONFIGURATION FIXEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FRONT PANEL AND DISPOSED GENERALLY CENTRALLY THEREOF; SAID INELASTIC PANEL BEING COMPRISED OF MULTIPLE LAYERS OF MATERIAL, AT LEST ONE OF WHICH IS INELASTIC, TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY EFFECTIVE ABDOMINAL SUPPORT, CONTROL, AND CONFINEMENT TO THE DESIRED GEOMETRY; AND A PEAR-SHAPED PANEL FIXEDLY ASSOCIATED WITH, AND DISPOSED GENERRALLY CENTRALLY OF, SAID REAR PANEL; SAID PEAR-SHAPED PANEL BEING DISTENSIBLE IN EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF DIRECTIONS AND BEING OF SUCH DIMENSIONAL EXTENT, BOTH LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY OF SAID REAR PANEL, AS TO BE OPERABLE THROUGHOUT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION THEREOF, ENABLING THE PRODUCTION OF PROPER FIGURE CONTROLLING PRESSURES IN AMOUNTS WHICH PROPERLY DISTRIBUTE EXCESS FLESH IN THE AREA OR THE DERRIERE OF THE HUMAN FIRUGE AND IDEALIZE THE GEOMETRY THEREOF. 